# NTSB ATL90LA083: Cessna 172G, N4373L, Gulf Shores, AL, March 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1990, 16:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Shores, AL
- Coordinates: 30.269973, -87.70095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2700&lon=-87.7010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA083

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE OR PROPERLY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT WHEN HE LEFT IT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON THE RAMP PREPARING FOR A BANNER TOW FLIGHT AND HAD LEFT THE COCKPIT UNATTENDED. HE REPORTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS SET, THE THROTTLE WAS AT IDLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND THE LEFT MAIN TIRE WAS CHOCKED. AS HE WAS HELPING HIS WIFE CARRY THE BANNER TO THE PICK UP AREA, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS MOVING. HE CHASED THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO ENTER THE COCKPIT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TURNED THE AIRPLANE AWAY FROM A FUEL STORAGE TANK BEFORE HE WAS DRAGGED TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RAMP SURFACE, CONTACTED AN ADJACENT DITCH, AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THAT THE THROTTLE MAY HAVE OPENED UP AFTER THE AIRPLANE STARTED MOVING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4373L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4373L), registered now, S/N 17254450, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Nelson Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 28, 1989, 31 hours before
- Airport: AL15, Jack Edwards

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 31,670 total, 2,700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 22 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900321004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900321004879A), Mar 21, 1990: Cessna 172G, Gulfshores, AL, Substantial damage. Left engine running,brake on and chocked while working on banner hitch. Airplane got away ran into ditch nosed over

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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